The Times and The Sunday Times and carefully selected third parties use cookies on this site to improve performance, for analytics and for advertising. By browsing this site you are agreeing to this. For more information see our Privacy and Cookie policy.

Claudio Ranieri set for emotional Chelsea return

Claudio Ranieri can expect an emotional welcome back to Stamford Bridge this evening, when the Juventus coach makes his first return to Chelsea since his departure in 2004. Players and supporters alike will recognise the part that the Italian played in making Chelsea a force in European football, but Roman Abramovich, the West London club’s owner, and Peter Kenyon, the chief executive — the men who sacked him — will hope that the generosity for their former head coach stops there.

The supporters may recall that as Ranieri left, Jos? Mourinho arrived to usher in the most successful period in the club’s history, but yesterday was a time for Ranieri to emphasise the high points of his spell in England, such…